Regulating device.



A. J. HALL. REGULATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1914. 1,232,915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Zi /j BY ATTORNEY Patented July 10, 1917.

A. J. HALL. REGULATING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 25. 1914.

Patented July 10, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

INVENTOR b/ww/ ATTORNEY icl wmvassss:

A. J. HALL.

REGULATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY25|19|4. 1 1 N 1,232,915. 5. Patentea 51113 10, 19%

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J. HALL, OF W'ILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'IO WESTINGHOUSEELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

REGULATING DEVICE.

Application filed May 25, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. HALL, a subjectof the King of Great Britain, and a resident of WVilkinsburg, in thecounty of Alle gheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Regulating Devices, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to regulating apparatus, with particular referenceto torque operated devices for effecting the actuation of a drumcontroller or other device.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide adevice of theabove-indicated character which shall. be simple, inexpensive andcompact in construction and positive and re liable in operation, andwhich shall be particularly adapted to effect the movements of a controldrum in a series of definite steps in accordance with the torquedeveloped.

More specifically, the object of my invention is to provide atorque-operated controller or regulating apparatus for use in connection with a system of control, similar to that set forth in aco-pending application, Serial No. Sal-3,929, filed June 9, 1914, by K.A. Simmon and A. J. Hall, and assigned to the lVestinghouse Electric 8:hlanufacturing (10., in which a polyphase dynamo-electric machine isadapted to receive energy from a single-phase alternating current sourcethrough a phase converter during motor operation and to deliver energyto the source through the converter when the machine is operated as agenerator.

In systems of this type, it is desirable to provide automatic means foradjusting the connections of the phase converter with re spect to thesource of energ for the purpose of compensating for the inherent phasedistortion and voltage reduction resulting from load conditions, bothwhen the machine is operating as a generator and when it is operating asa motor.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a view, partially in sectionand partially in side elevation, of a torque operated controllerembodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown inFig. 1 Fig. 3 is a view, in end elevation, of the structure, looking atthe control drum end thereof; and Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation, ofa portion of the apparatus, as viewed from the other end of the device.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1917.

Serial No. 840,718.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a torque device 1,which preferably constitutes a dynamo-electric machine. although it maytake the form of any device adapted to produce torques in oppositedirections, a set 2 of torque-opposing devices 3, 1 and 5 for imposingrestraint upon the torque device 1, when operated in one direction, aset 6 of torque-opposing devices 7 and S for performing a similarfunction when the torque device 1 is operated in the opposite direction,and a controller 9 comprising a rotatable drum 10 which is actuated bythe torque device 1, and a plurality of cooperat ing stationary contactfingers 11 that are adapted for engagement therewith.

The torque device 1. as shown, comprises a stationary field magnetmember 15, provided with suitable windings 16 which are so related as todevelop a torque in a rotatable armature or rotor 17 under predeterminedconditions. So far as my invention is concerned, the specific structuraldetails and the electric characteristics of the dynamo-elec tric machineor torque device 1 are unessential, and I, therefore, shall not attemptto set forth its structure and mode of operztion further. The rotor orarmature 17 is provided with, a shaft 18 that projects outwardly inopposite directions, the respective ends 19 and 20 of which are suitablysupported by detachable end brackets 21 and 22 that are attached to thesides of the stationary field magnet structure 15 and are provided withbearings 23 and 2st of any wellknown construction. For convenience, thestructure 15 is provided with supporting brackets or legs 25.

Supporting structures 26 and 26 are as sociated with the respective endbrackets 21 and 22 and are of similar construction. The supportingstructure 26 comprises a plurality of bolts 27 and 28 which are disposedsubstantially parallel to the shaft 19 and in vertical plane therewith,being screw-tl1readed or otherwise attached to the end bracket 21. Thebolts 27 and 28 are provided with a plurality of spacing sleeves 29. 30and 31 which serve to definitely position a plurality of cross members32, 33, 34 and 3-5 that are provided with end openings to receive thebolts 27 and 28, and also with openings intermediate their ends throughwhich the shaft 19 projects. The lengths of "the various members 29, 30and 31 are chosen to space the members 32, 33, 34 and 35 and locate themin definite positions, in order to accommodate the torque-opposingdevices 3, 4 and 5 in a manner to insure free and reliable operation, aswill be hereinafter set forth.

The tor ue-opposing devices 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are of lilie construction,although the devices 7 and 8 are reversed in position with respect tothe devices 3, 4 and 5 for the purpose of performing their respectivefunctions when the direction of operation is reversed. Each of thetorque-opposing devices comprises a sleeve 40 which surrounds the shaft18, a ratchet member 41 having a plurality of teeth 42, and an integral,laterally projecting tubular member 43 which surrounds the sleeve 40 andhas a movable bearingthereon, a spiral spring 44 of fiat strip materialwhich comprises a plurality of convolutions 45 and has its outer end 46secured to the bolt 28, while its inner end is fastened, in a suitablemanner, to the ratchet member 41 or its tubular portion 43. Pivotallymounted upon the tubular portion 43, is a finger 47, preferably of sheetmaterial, and having bifurcated side members 48 that are provided withopenings for receiving the tubular portion 43. The several arms 48 ofthe finger 47 are disposed on the respective sides of the spiral spring44 and serve to retain the several convolutions thereof in operativeposition and alinement. Washers 50 are provided intermediate the spring44 and the side members 48 of the finger 47, and a pawl 54 is pivotallyattached to one of the side members 48 and is adapted to cooperativelyengage the teeth 42 of the ratchet 41. It is clear that the tension ofthe spring 44 may be adjusted to any desired value by turning theratchet 41 and winding up thespring, after which the ,pawl 54 is causedto retain whatever tension is effected.

The several torque-opposing devices 3, 4 and 5 are located in-sidebyside relation,

and their respective spring-actuated fingers 47 are preferably disposedin the same horizontal plane, the ends thereof being supported by amember 55, which may either form an integral part of the end bracket 21or may be attached thereto. The member 55, therefore, restrains thefingers in position against the tension of their respective springs 44,under normal conditions, when the apparatus occupies its neutralposition. The springs 44 are preferably adjusted to have equal tension,although this is unessential.

The shaft 18 is provided with a plurality of arms 57, 58 and 59 whichare fixed thereto. The arms 57 and 58 are separated from the adjacenttorque opposing devices 3, 4'

provided with a plurality of pins 60 and 61 which project, in oppositedirections, into the plane of the torque-opposing devices 3 and 4,whereby said pins may be brought into engagement with the respectivefingers 47 of said devices. The pin 61 is angularly displaced below thepin 60 a predetermined amount. Moreover, the arm 57 is positioned on theshaft 18 so that, when the apparatus occupies its neutral position, thepin 60 just engages the finger 47 of the device 3. The arm 58 carries apin 64 which projects into the plane of the device 5 and is located apredetermined angle 'behind the pin 61.

The arm 59 on the other end 20 of the shaft 18 is similarly associatedtherewith and is provided with pins 66 and 67 which are, respectively,adapted to be brought into cotiperative engagement with thetorqueopposing devices 7 and 8 and which, moreover, are angularlydisposed so that the'engagement will be effected successively.

Assuming'that the various parts of the apparatus occupy the positionsshown, and that the torque device 1 develops a torque in a directiontending to rotate the shaft 18 in a counter-clockwise direction asviewed from the right-hand end of the apparatus, the operation is asfollows: The'niovement of the shaft 318 isinitially restricted'by thespring 44 of the torque-opposing mechanism 3, which imposes a definiterestraining force, for instance, 3 pounds, provided the-springs havebeen adjusted for this value. As soon, however, as the torque device 1develops suflicient turning moment to overcome the action of the spring44, the rotor 17 and shaft 18, with their associated control 'drum 10,are moved into their first position with a positive and relatively rapidmovement, which is permitted by reason of the peculiar property of thespiral spring 44 that ren ders its tension substantially constantthroughout a'wide range of movement.

hen the control "drum 10 has been notched up to its second position, thepin 61 on the arm 57 is brought into engagement with the finger 47 ofthe torque-oppos ing'mechanism 4 and. hence, its associated spring 44becomes effective in restraining further movement until the torquedeveloped increases to a value slightly in excess of the combined forcesof the two springs now in action, namely, six pounds, under the assumedconditions. Immediately upon the predominance of the torque over thecombined action of the springs, the shaft 18 and control drum 10 arerotated quickly into the second position, in which the pin 64 of the arm58 engages the finger 47 of the torque-opposing device 5 and preventsfurther movement.

The control drum 10, therefore, is moved notch-by-notch through itsseveral positions and its operation is both positive and regular and isdependent upon the torque developed by the torque device 1, of whateverconstruction it may be.

lVithout describing the structure and arangement of the parts associatedwith the opposite end 20 of the shaft 18, on account of their similarityto those already set forth .in detail, it will be understood that themode of operation and results attained are similar when the torquedevice 1 moves the shaft 18 and control drum 10 in the oppositedirection, th only difference being that but two torque-opposing devices7 and 8 are provided, and the positions of said devices and the arm 59are reversed in order to accommodate the reversal of rotative move ment.

Obviously, numerous modifications in the specific structural details andin the arrangement and location of parts may be effected withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I desire thatonly such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a torque device having a rotatable member, of aplurality of torque-opposing devices embodying spiral springssurrounding said member and normally independent thereof, and meansassociated with said rotatable member for successively causing saiddevices to oppose the movement of said torque device.

2. The combination with a torqu device having a rotatable shaft. of aplurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said shaft, adjustable spiralsprings severally associated with said fingers, and means associatedwith said shaft for successively cooperating with said fingers, wherebysaid springs are successively brought into action to oppose movements ofsaid torque device.

3. The combination with a torque device having a rotatabl shaft, of aplurality of fingers pivotally mounted. on said. shaft. adjustablespiral springs surrounding said shaft and severally associated. withsaid fingers, means for initially supporting the free ends of saidfingers, and a plurality of v arms associated with said shaft forsuccessively causing said springs to oppose the action of said torquedevice.

t. The combination with means adapted for exerting a torque in oppositedirections and having a projecting shaft, a plurality of torque-opposingdevices associated with the respective ends of said shaft and adapted tosuccessively cooperate therewith in accordance with the torque of saidt0rqueeXerting means, and a switching device operatively. associatedwith sald torque-exerting means.

The combinationwith a torque device having a rotatable member, of aplurality of torque-opposing devices associated with said rotatablemember. each comprising an adjustable sleeve, a spiral springsurrounding said sleeve having one end secured thereto, and an armassociated with said sleeve. means for normally supporting the end ofsaid arm against the tension of said sprin and a plurality of membersassociated with said rotatable member for successively cngaging saidspring-actuated arms.

(5. The combination with a torque device having a rotatable shaft, of aplurality of torque-opposing devices adapted to successively cooperatewith said shaft and each embodying a spiral spring surrounding saidshaft and having a substantially uniform tension throughout a wine rangeof movement.

7. The combination with a torque device having a rotatable shaft. of aplurality of torque-opposing devices adapted to su reasively cooperatwith said. shaft and each embodying a bearing sleeve surronmling saidshaft, a. ratchet having a. laterally projecting tubular portion movablymounted upon said bearing sleeve, a spiral spring of strip materialsurrounding said tubular pen tion of said ratchet and having one end attached thereto, a bifurcated finger straddling said spiral spring andpivoted upon said tubular member, and a pawl pivotally secured to saidfinger and adapted to engage said ratchet.

8. The combination with means for exerting a torque in oppositedirections and having a rotatable shaft, of a plurality of sets oftorque-opposing devices associated with said shaft and respectivelyadapted to i1npose restraint upon the movement of said shaft whenrotated in opposite directions, each of said torque-opposing devices canbodying an adjustable spiral spring surrounding said shaft having asubstantially uniform tension throughout a wide range of movement ofsaid shaft.

9. The combination with a rotatable shaft, a controller drum associatedtherewith. and a torque device for actuating said drum, of a pluralityof spiral springs having a substantially uniform tension throughout awide range, and means for successively causing said springs to opposethe movement of said torque device, whereby said controllm drum isadapted to occupy a series of definite positions.

10. The combination with a dvnamo-electric machine comprising a statorand a rotor, a shaft for said rotor having projecting ends, and endbrackets secured to said stator for supporting said rotor shaft, of aplurality of fingers and actuating spiral springs associated with theopposite ends of said shaft, and a plurality of means rigidly eonneetedto the respective end brackets for positioning said fingers and springs.

11. The combination with a dynamo-electric machine comprising a statorand a retor. a shaft for said rotor having projecting ends, and endbrackets secured to said stator for supporting said rotor shaft, of aplurality of fingers and actuating spiral springs loosely associatedwith the opposite ends of said shaft, a plurality of arms disposedadjacent to some of said fingers and springs and rigidly secured to saidshaft, and a structure associated with each end bracket for spacingapart the fingers and arms of the respective ends of said shaft.

12. The combination with a rotatable member, a plurality of independentmembers pivotally mounted upon said rotatable member, and spiral springsassociated with the said independent members, of means for successivelycooperating with said independent members for causing said springs tosuccessively impose restraint upon said rotatable member.

13. The combination with a rotatable member, of a plurality of spiralsprings surrounding said member, and means asso ciated therewith forcausing said springs to successively impose restraint upon said memberwhen it is rotated.

14. The combination with a rotatable member, a plurality of fingerspivotally mounted thereon, spiral springs surrounding said member andseverally associated with said fingers, and means for initiallysupporting the free ends of said fingers, of a plurality of meansassociated with said rotatable member for successively causing saidsprings to impose restraint upon said member when it is rotated.

15. The combination with means adapted to exert a torque in oppositedirections and having a projecting shaft, of a plurality oftorque-opposing devices associated with said shaft and adapted tosuccessively cooperate therewith in accordance with the torque developedby said torque-exerting means.

16. The combination with means for exerting a torque in oppositedirections and having a rotatable shaft and a controller drum mountedupon said shaft, of a plural? ity of spring-actuated torque-opposingde-' vices associated with said shaft and divided into groups thatrespectively are adapted to successively cooperate with said shaft whenin opposite directions for successively imposing restraint upon themovement thereof in accordance with the torque de veloped by thetorque-exerting means.

17. The combination with a torque device having a rotatable shaft and acontroller drum mounted thereon, of a torque-opposing device mountedupon said shaft and comprising a spiral spring, and means for causingsaid spring to restrain the movement of said shaft during apredetermined portion of the rotation thereof.

18. The combination with a rotatable member, a torque-opposing deviceassociated therewith and comprising an adjustable sleeve, a spiralspring surrounding said sleeve and having one end secured thereto, andan arm associated with said sleeve, of means for normally supporting theend. of said arm against the tension of said spring, and a memberassociated with said rotatable member for cooperatively engaging saidspring-actuated arm.

19. The combination with a dynamo-electric machine comprising a statorand a ro tor, a shaft for said rotor having a projecting end, and an endbracket secured to said stator for supporting said rotor shaft, of aplurality of fingers and actuating spiral springs associated with theprojecting end of said shaft, and a plurality of means rigidly connectedto the end bracket for positioning said fingers and said springs.

20. The combination with a dynamo-electric machine comprising a statorand a retor, a shaft for said rotor having a projecting end, and an endbracket secured to said stator for supporting the rotor shaft, of aplurality of fingers and actuating spiral springs loosely associatedwith the projecting end of said shaft, a plurality of arms disposedadjacent to said fingers and springs and rigidly secured to' said shaft,and a structure associated with said end bracket for spacing apart saidfingers and arms.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st dayof May 1914.

ARTHUR J. HALL.

lVitnesses H. T. MORRIS, B. B. HINns.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patent Washington, D. G.

